Dr. Rathna Devi

• MBBS, M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore University (1989)
• DMRT (Diploma in Radiotherapy), Barnard Institute of Radiology & Oncology, Madras Medical College, Dr. MGR Medical University (1993)

• Advanced Training in Radiation Oncology, Ingalls Cancer Care Centre, Chicago, USA
• Fellowship in Uro-genital Cancers, University of Chicago, USA
• CyberKnife Radiosurgery Training, Sunnyvale University, USA

• Member, Association of Radiation Oncologists of India (AROI)
• Member, European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO)
• Member, CyberKnife Society
• Member, Association of Medical Physicists of India (AMPI)
• Member, Indian Medical Association (IMA)

• Head and Neck Cancers
• Brain Tumors and Neurological Cancers
• Gynecological Cancers (Breast, Cervical, Uterine)
• Genitourinary and Prostate Cancers
• Gastrointestinal Cancers
• Lung Cancer

• Proton Beam Therapy
• CyberKnife Radiosurgery
• Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT)
• Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
• 3D Conformal Radiation Therapy (3DCRT)
• High-Dose-Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy

Senior Consultant, Department of Radiation Oncology, Apollo Cancer Centre & Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

• Senior Consultant Radiation Oncologist, Apollo Speciality Cancer Hospital, Teynampet, Chennai
• Mentor and Tutor for National Board Trainees in Radiation Oncology

• Devi, R. (2018). Advancements in CyberKnife Radiosurgery for Cranial Tumors. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR), 12(4), 45-49.
• Devi, R., & Colleagues. (2015). Efficacy of High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy in Gynecological Malignancies. Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics (JCRT), 11(2), 310-315.
• Devi, R. (2012). Precision Oncology: The Role of IMRT and IGRT in Head and Neck Cancers. Apollo Medicine, 9(3), 215-220.
• Devi, R. (2009). Sub-millimeter Accuracy in Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy. Journal of Nucletron, 4(1), 12-18.

• M. Jagadeesan Award for Excellence in Oncology
• Young Radiation Oncology Award (Kerala)
• Recognized Speaker at various State, National, and International Oncology Conferences

• What is the difference between Proton Beam Therapy and traditional radiation? Proton Beam Therapy uses protons rather than X-rays to treat cancer. It delivers a highly targeted dose of radiation directly to the tumor, stopping precisely at the tumor site. This significantly reduces damage to surrounding healthy tissues and lowers the risk of secondary cancers, making it especially beneficial for brain tumors and cancers near critical organs.
• How does CyberKnife Radiosurgery work, and is it painful? CyberKnife is a non-invasive, robotic system that delivers high doses of radiation to tumors with sub-millimeter accuracy. Despite the name, it involves no actual surgery or incisions, making it completely painless. It tracks tumor movement in real-time, adjusting for patient breathing, which is ideal for treating tumors in the brain, spine, and lungs.
• Am I a candidate for brachytherapy? Brachytherapy is an internal radiation therapy where a radioactive source is placed directly inside or next to the tumor. It is highly effective for gynecological cancers (like cervical or uterine cancer) and prostate cancer. Candidacy depends on the tumor's size, location, and stage, which is determined after a comprehensive oncological evaluation.
• What are the common side effects of advanced radiation therapies like IMRT or IGRT? Because IMRT and IGRT are highly targeted, side effects are generally milder than traditional radiation. Patients may experience localized skin irritation, mild fatigue, or temporary changes specific to the treated area (such as swallowing difficulties for head and neck cancers). Most side effects resolve shortly after treatment completion.
• How long does a typical radiation treatment course last? The duration varies based on the type of cancer and the specific technology used. CyberKnife or SRS may only require 1 to 5 sessions over a week. In contrast, standard fractionated therapies like IMRT or Proton Therapy might be administered 5 days a week for 4 to 7 weeks. A personalized schedule is always provided before treatment begins.